Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian. Photo: China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

China is gravely concerned about the relevant reports that the US lawmakers plan to meet with the 14th Dalai Lama and urges the US side to fully recognize the anti-China separatist nature of the Dalai group, honor the commitments the US has made to China on issues related to Xizang, have no contact with the Dalai group in any form, and stop sending the wrong signal to the world, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday. 

Lin made the remarks following the media reports that House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul will lead a US congressional delegation to India in the coming days, where he and other lawmakers, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, plan to meet Dalai Lama.

It's known by all that the 14th Dalai Lama is not a pure religious figure, but a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion, Lin said. Over the years, the 14th Dalai Lama and his supporters have continued attempts to promote "Xizang independence" by provoking incidents that jeopardize peace and stability in Xizang, according to a white paper released by the State Council Information Office in 2021.

The US legislation is also pushing a Xizang-related bill with US President Joe Biden expected to sign it into law, according to media reports.

On the relevant act in the US congress, let me stress that Xizang has always been part of China since ancient times. Xizang's affairs are purely China's domestic affairs and no external interference will ever be allowed. Xizang today enjoys social stability and harmony, with sound economic performance and people's well-being well protected. Xizang keeps making fresh progress in effectively running its society and achieving high-quality development. No one and no force should ever attempt to destabilize Xizang to contain and suppress China. Such attempts will never succeed, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

China urges the US side to adhere to its commitments of recognizing Xizang as part of China and not supporting "Xizang independence." The US must not sign the bill into law. China will take resolute measures to firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests, said the spokesperson.    

Global Times